May 27, 2008

Kalmer retires at Bradley 

Following his team’s elimination from the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament last week, Bradley head coach Dewey Kalmer announced his retirement.

The winningest coach in Bradley Athletics history, Kalmer compiled a record of 842-772-4 in 29 seasons with the Braves, including a 26-28 mark this season. Kalmer had a record of 1,032-914-5 in 40 seasons as a head coach, good for 34^th place on the Division I all-time wins list.

Kalmer has sent 65 Braves to professional baseball, including seven who made it to the Major Leagues: Mike Dunn, Mike Grace, Jim Lindeman, Kirby Puckett, Bryan Rekar, Brian Shouse and Roger Smithberg. Shouse is currently a relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, which means at least one former Bradley player has been in the Major Leagues each of the past 26 seasons.

A native of Trenton, Ill., Kalmer graduated from Quincy in 1966 after earning All-America honors for basketball as well as baseball. He was drafted by the Washington Senators as a catcher and played three years in the organization, the final two at Triple-A. Kalmer returned to Quincy, where he was the head coach for baseball and basketball for 11 years before moving to Bradley.

Click here for list of 2008 Division I head coaching changes.